It is the reporter juxtaposing those two quotations, in the context of saying specifically that Powell “rebuffed” critics of Obama on the experience question.
It’s always possible that the reporter mis-represented Powell, of course, but the plain meaning of the last two paragraphs of that article shows POWELL making the comparison of Obama’s inexperience with national campaigns not being a hindrance to his success, with Powell’s observation that people can be President without previous high-level national experience.
Powell’s words as presented are clear - whether the reporter accurately reported them is another matter.
I still do not see any basis for anyone to say that Powell has disparaged Obama and said that Obama is unqualified to serve as POTUS, and I do not see anything anywhere (yet) that has Powell denying that he will endorse Obama.
Sure, Kristol is trying to smoke out Powell, or maybe even force a decision one way or the other (note that that original item from Kristol made it a bit wishy-washy whether Powell had made a firm decision). So far Powell has only denied that he will be a physcial presence at the DNC.
Powell has NOT denied (at least I haven’t seen it) that he will endorse Obambi, or that he may/will give some kind of statement or speech to that effect at some location other than the DNC.
The AFP just removed those paragraphs. I think they don’t like the Obamessiah dissed.